[1] Born in Granite City, Illinois, Dortch served as a pastor early in his ministerial career, and was also a missionary to Belgium (1959–1964), where he helped found and lead Emmanuel Bible Institute in Andrimont.
He felt called to ministry at a young age and pursued theological education at Central Bible College in Springfield, Missouri, graduating in 1953.
The PTL (Praise The Lord) ministry experienced rapid growth under Bakker and Dortch's leadership, expanding its reach through television broadcasts and the development of Heritage USA, a Christian theme park and residential complex in South Carolina.
Dortch admitted to his role in covering up hush money payments to Jessica Hahn, a church secretary who had accused Jim Bakker of sexual assault.
Despite the controversies that marked his career, he was remembered by many in the Christian community as a man who had faced his mistakes and dedicated his later years to promoting integrity in ministry.